Republican · North Carolina's 10th District · 2026
Pat Harrigan
Harrigan studied nuclear engineering at West Point, then served as an Army infantry officer and Green Beret in Afghanistan.
Biography
Pat Harrigan and his wife, Rocky, started a firearms business in their living room while he was serving in the Army.1 Married since 2010, they have two daughters.1 His earlier ventures included shining shoes.2
Harrigan graduated from West Point with a nuclear engineering degree and became an infantry officer stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.1 He deployed to Afghanistan as a platoon leader, then qualified for Army Special Forces and returned to Afghanistan as a Green Beret.1 His military awards include two Bronze Stars.1
The home business developed into a manufacturing company in western North Carolina.1 Harrigan entered Congress in January 2025 and serves on Armed Services and Science, Space and Technology.3 His Armed Services assignments include military personnel, readiness, and intelligence and special operations.3 In October 2026, he introduced the AI Cyber Defense Act, a proposal aimed at protecting American AI technology and critical infrastructure.4 California Representative George Whitesides joined him in introducing the bipartisan proposal.5
His campaign advocates reduced federal spending, school choice and more resources for police.2 His current healthcare agenda also includes a proposal addressing shortages of doctors, nurses and mental health professionals in rural communities.6 He faces Democrat Ashley Bell in his bid for another House term.7
Record and controversies
Voluntarily dismissed libel case
A former Wake Forest employee sued Harrigan in October 2025, alleging his social media post falsely connected her departure from the university to a comment about Charlie Kirk's assassination.8 Federal lawyers sought to substitute the United States as defendant, arguing the post fell within his official duties.8 On February 2, 2026, the plaintiff filed a notice voluntarily dismissing the case without prejudice; that notice does not decide whether the post was true.9